There are about 1,200 animals and birds of 112 species at the Central Zoo alone. Among them, 41 animals and birds of 8 species, either born in the zoo or rescued and brought there, have died due to bird flu.
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Nepal’s only large central zoo reopened on the first day of the Nepali month of Shrawan after being closed for 27 days. What changes have taken place at the Jawalakhel-based zoo in Lalitpur? We have prepared a video report on this.
The incident dates back to the 30th of Jestha, when an owl suddenly died at the central zoo. A rapid test conducted at the zoo itself revealed that the owl had died of bird flu. Some other birds were also found dead on the 29th of Jestha.
As the number of animal deaths increased, on the 1st of Jestha, three samples from dead birds were sent to the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) in Tripureshwar for testing. After 72 hours, the CVL also confirmed through PCR that the birds had died due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). This virus is one type of bird flu. Among bird flu viruses, H5N1, H5N2, and H7N9 are deadly viruses that can rapidly infect both animals and humans.
As the deaths of animals at the zoo continued to rise, Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment Geeta Chaudhary expressed concern. Following Minister Chaudhary’s directive, an investigation committee was formed, which recommended immediately sealing the zoo. From the 5th of Ashad, the zoo was sealed and measures were taken to prevent the spread of bird flu to the public. The management of dead animals, disinfection of infected enclosures, and covering of enclosures with plastic to prevent crows, pigeons, and other birds from spreading the infection from outside to the central zoo in Jawalakhel were carried out. The floors of the enclosures were burned to kill germs.
The central zoo alone houses about 1,200 animals and birds of 112 species. Of these, 41 animals and birds of 8 species, either born in the zoo or rescued and brought there, died due to bird flu.
After sealing the zoo, staff carried out disinfection work. Swabs from 67 live animals were collected and sent to the CVL in Tripureshwar in the third week of Ashad. After the CVL also returned negative results for bird flu, the zoo resumed operations from the first day of Shrawan. The zoo, which operates from ticket sales to domestic and foreign tourists, suffered an estimated financial loss of around 30 million rupees during its nearly one-month closure, according to the zoo administration.
After animals died of bird flu, red ribbons were tied to the affected enclosures. Although bird flu does not spread directly to humans through the air, tourists have been advised not to linger near enclosures marked with red ribbons. Notices have been issued making masks mandatory and instructing visitors not to touch the enclosures. The investigation committee has recommended keeping the affected enclosures empty for thirty to forty days after animals die from bird flu. The opening and closing times of the zoo have also been changed.
